The Northern Railways is setting up 5 MW of solar rooftop at the New Delhi, Old Delhi, Anand Vihar and Hazrat Nizamuddin railway stations with the objective of generating electricity for self-use. The power purchase agreements (PPAs) for the same have been signed between solar developer, Vivaan Solar and Northern Railways for a 25-year period at a tariff of Rs.4.14 (~$0.06)/kWh. The PPA was signed on November 16, 2016.

An official at Northern Railways said, “the installation will be complete by August 2017.” The 5 MW capacity is distributed over four railway stations; New Delhi – 1.1 MW, Old Delhi – 2.2 MW, Hazrat Nizamuddin – 0.6 MW, and Anand Vihar Terminus – 1.1 MW. The projects will be set up through Public Private Partnership (PPP) on design, build, finance, operate and transfer (DBFOT) basis.

The scope of work includes design, manufacture, supply, erection, testing, commissioning, and operation and maintenance for a 25-year period.

The successful bidder was selected through competitive bidding in which 13 companies participated. Vivaan Solar emerged as the successful bidder quoting the lowest bid of Rs.4.14 (~$0.06)/kWh; Madhav Infra (L2) had quoted Rs.6.43 (~$0.09)/kWh and Amplus (L3) had quoted Rs.6.83 (~$0.10)/kWh.

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) will be providing central financial assistance (CFA) of 15 percent on MNRE benchmark cost of Rs.80 million (~$1.18 million)/MWp or total project cost, whichever is lower. Mercom had previously reported that the MNRE has granted subsidies and incentives for an aggregate of 500 MW capacity to the Ministry of Railways which has a target of installing 1 GW of solar power by 2020.